Muckraker

Medium humanoid (boggard), chaotic evil

Armor Class 16 (studded leather)
Hit Points 90 (12d8+36)
Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
16 (+3) 19 (+4) 17 (+3) 8 -1) 14 (+2) 11 (+0)

Saving Throws Dexterity +7, Constitution +6
Skills Athletics +6, Perception +5, Stealth +7, Survival +5
Damage Vulnerabilities cold
Damage Resistances poison
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages Boggard, Common
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)

Special Traits

  • Sneak Attack. Once per turn, the muckraker deals an extra 14 (4d6) damage when it hits a target with a weapon attack and has advantage on the attack roll, or when the target is within 5 feet of an ally of the muckraker that isn’t incapacitated and the muckraker doesn’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.
  • Swamp Stalker. Muckrakers are adept at remaining motionless for even days at a time to blend into their swampy environment. If a muckraker has spent an hour or more hiding within forest, grassland, or swamp terrain, it gains a +10 bonus to Dexterity (Stealth).
  • Terrifying Croak. The muckraker has a throat pouch that magically emits terrifying sounds. As an action the muckraker can emit a terrifying croak, forcing all non-boggard creatures within 30 feet to make a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, a creature becomes frightened of all boggards for 1 minute. Creatures that succeed at this save cannot be affected again by it for 24 hours.
  • Toad’s Leap. The muckraker has long bandy legs capable of propelling it to great heights. When it makes a long jump it can travel up to 45 feet. When making a high jump the muckraker can leap up to 15 feet into the air. The muckraker is always considered to have moved 10 feet or more before jumping, even when stationary.

Actions

  • Multiattack. The muckraker attacks three times: twice with its hunting pikes and once with either its hooked net or wicked tongue.
  • Hunting Pike. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d10+3) piercing damage.
  • Hooked Net. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range 5/15 ft., one Large or smaller target. Hit: The target is restrained. A creature can use its action to make a DC 10 Strength check to free itself or another creature in a net, ending the effect on a success. Dealing 5 slashing damage to the net (AC 10) frees the target without harming it and destroys the net. Whenever a creature attempts to free itself or another creature in a net and fails the check, the attacking creature takes 5 slashing damage.
  • Wicked Tongue. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range 10 ft., one Large or smaller creature. Hit: The target is restrained and suffers a -2 penalty to its AC as long as it remains restrained. While a creature is restrained in this way the muckraker cannot, speak, move further than 10 feet away from the restrained creature, or make another wicked tongue attack. Dealing 5 slashing damage to the tongue (AC 14) frees the target without harming it and forces the tongue to retract. The muckraker can use a bonus action to retract its tongue.

Reactions

  • Swift Scatter. Muckrakers are trained ambush hunters and dive to cover at the first sign of trouble. When it first becomes aware of a potential threat the muckraker can use its reaction to take the Hide action.

About

Muckrakers are the lifeblood of any boggard community, patiently hunting and trapping whatever creatures they happen upon in the marshlands. They often submerge themselves in the mire up to their necks and allow the meager bounty of the swamp to wander their way-they’re not choosy and anything remotely edible is likely to be dragged back home in their nets.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Vast Kaviya Campaign Setting © 2019 Mike Myler, published under license by Legendary Games; Authors Mike Myler, Andrew Engelbrite, Will Gawned, Alec Kaknes, Anthony Alipio, Sharene Gilchrist, Matteo Piovanelli, Jesse Jordan, GM Lent, Brian Istenes, and Jeremy Esch.

This is not the complete license attribution - see the full license for this page